Touched by Grace

With over 2600 active volunteers at last count, volunteerism at Crossings Community Church is not only a big part of the Crossings experience, but critical to its success. When asked about his volunteerism at Crossings, Bob Akridge simply says, “It’s what we do.” Indeed, as the body of Christ, we are called to serve, encourage and support one another; it’s just what we do – and Bob has been doing it in various capacities for the fifteen years he’s been at Crossings!

Bob believes in a large church, the biggest resource is volunteers. Volunteers are needed to make church happen. Not only is volunteering a great way to serve God and the community, it’s a great way to plug in and gain new friendships.

Bob’s parents were active in church when he was young, and he has served in many areas for most of his life, including in leadership and music. When he arrived at Crossings, he started out volunteering in the Children’s Ministry, teaching 4-year-olds before he had his own kids. He was one of the original ushers in the Gym service before it became the Venue service, and soon became an usher captain. He remembers that Jami Smith was the worship leader then, and it started out with around 200-300 people and grew from there.

Other volunteer opportunities have included teaching Crossings 56, the ministry for 5th and 6th graders, but the last two years have been spent recruiting other volunteers. You can find him Sundays at the Volunteer Ministry desk in the Atrium helping those who wish to volunteer find a place where there is a need.

It can be easy to get lost in a big church, and volunteering is a great way to find your home within Crossings.

Bob works in health care as an administrator for a national physician’s services company. Married to wife Debby, they have two children, Reagan (in grade school) and Ryan (in middle school). He is trying to set a great example for his children to become active in church, just like the wonderful testament his parents set for him. Despite busy schedules, he feels, “It’s important to make serving a priority in our lives – it’s just part of being in Christ!” He knows that he and his family have been touched by the volunteer efforts of others serving them – and certainly touched by the friendships he has gained while serving.

Thinking about volunteering? Bob’s advice is: 1) It’s just a great thing to do! If you don’t know, find out what your spiritual gifts are and how you can match them up to the many volunteer opportunities Crossings has to offer. Remember, there are one-time volunteer opportunities available to get your feet wet before you commit to longer term service; and 2) Visit the Volunteer Ministry desk in the Atrium and talk to one of the volunteer coordinators there – maybe even Bob! They are eager to meet you and help you find your perfect place to serve.

There are so many truly heartwarming stories at Crossings about how volunteers help others and in so doing, reap the rewards of God’s kingdom. Bob and other volunteers like him truly make a difference. “It’s what we do!” and you can too!

The agency provides help with utilities and rent if a cut-off notice or eviction notice has been received, for Yukon residents. A clothes closet, food bank, and aid with obtaining prescription drugs are all available. Eviction or cut off notice required. Eastern Canadian county for utilities and rent. Food, prescriptions, and clothes. Yukon only.

-Help with prescriptions: will take first 15 applicants, assists up to $30.00, does not help with antidepressants, hormones, or pain medications, must come in person for assistance
-Small food pantry in conjunction with the Food Bank of Oklahoma
-Provides mobile meals to home-bound seniors
-Bus pass for job interview or doctor appointment, extended bus passes for new job until first paycheck
-Provides assistance with utility bills

Supports central and western Oklahoma and serves all regardless of race, religion, ability to pay, or national origin. Services include:
-Adoption and pregnancy services: Provides support and counseling for birth parents and adoptive parents

-Offers counseling, support and education program that provides professional outpatient counseling services for families, children and individuals needing short-term professional help

-Disaster services: immediately following a disaster, may provide emergency assistance funds for food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities

-Emergency rent and utility assistance: developed to be a stopgap for clients that have found themselves in a crisis and need assistance with housing or utility deposits, or with a housing or a utility payment (gas, water, or electric). Assistance can only be provided once a year.

-HOPE: a family support service with a long-term case management program

-Homeless services:
–Sanctuary Women’s Development Center provides a safe, secure, empowering environment for at-risk women and their children
–Holy Family Home provides supportive transitional housing in a residential setting for homeless women and children

-Housing services: Opportunity for affordable housing to low-income families or individuals
–Villa Isenbart is sponsored by Catholic Charities, is an affordable housing development for people who are 62 years and older and who meet specific income requirements as required by HUD
–Trinity Gardens is designed for persons who are 62 years of age and older and of specific incomes

Oklahoma small businesses that experience substantial economic loss because of Coronavirus can receive low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital if their state qualifies for such federal funds. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has a form for assistance available here.

OSSBA has gathered a variety of resources and tips to help Oklahoma school districts proactively prepare for the Coronavirus threat. As of March 19, the state of Oklahoma has 44 positive cases of Coronavirus. We encourage school districts to proactively communicate with families about preparatory activities. Click here to see the latest status from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and view their new Coronavirus tracking dashboard here.

Provides short term care for children while parents work through a crisis. Parents voluntarily allow their children to stay in safe, loving homes while they seek to restore stability in their lives. Typically, the assistance to these families lasts only a few months.

Be A Neighbor is a movement of relational transformation sweeping across our state. By leveraging the power of technology, BeANeighbor.org will bring to light and strengthen connections, county by county, of people ready to help their fellow Oklahomans achieve lasting change and independence. If you are in need of help, or you want to get more engaged in your community to help others, this website is meant to be a tool for you to find your closest neighbor.

Crossings will be partnering with Feed the Children to help provide boxed, emergency meal kits to children in need. Sign up to serve on the response team, which will be utilized as needed in the in the following areas:

-Deliver emergency food packages to homes in the area.
-Volunteer with the mobile meals to deliver food to seniors.
-Assisting with special needs of shut-ins, seniors, or individuals unable to leave their homes.

Ever desire to make a change in your life but end up failing after a few tries, only to return to your old habits and destructive behavior? Explore the seven foundational principles that make accountability work, and identify why accountability so often fails. Research and Scripture are clear, the potential for growth increases when we do it in community with the support and encouragement of others.

What Should You Expect?

CareSeries classes and groups include dinner (pizza and salad bar) from 5:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m. in the Atrium prior to regular meeting time from 6:30-7:45 p.m. CareSeries is held at Crossings Community Church – OKC Campus, and adult courses are held on the second floor, in the Adult Education wing, unless otherwise noted. Please enter through the southeast entrance of the building by the Gym or the east entrance by the Atrium.

Preregistration is not required, but we’d love to know you’re planning to attend! You can RSVP by clicking the red “RSVP” button below to let us know you’re coming.

One of the foundational components of a healthy marriage is good communication. Learn and practice communication basics to increase your connection as a couple and improve your ability to walk through conflict as a team.

What Should You Expect?

CareSeries classes and groups include dinner (pizza and salad bar) from 5:30 p.m.-6:20 p.m. in the Atrium prior to regular meeting time from 6:30-7:45 p.m. CareSeries is held at Crossings Community Church – OKC Campus, and adult courses are held on the second floor, in the Adult Education wing, unless otherwise noted. Please enter through the southeast entrance of the building by the Gym or the east entrance by the Atrium.

Preregistration is not required, but we’d love to know you’re planning to attend! You can RSVP by clicking the red “RSVP” button below to let us know you’re coming.